My Map Shows Where Legendary Monsters Hide In America

The Monster Map is intended to serve as reminder of some of the more unique and abstract folklore traditions that we have in the USA. I have a strong interest in cultural anthropology and the art of storytelling, and in this age of homogenized consumer culture I think it’s more important than ever to embrace the elements that make our town/state/nation special. My hope is that people can find something to celebrate in them – be it pride of place, a reminder of how special their hometown is, or maybe just an excuse to start a conversation at the bookstore or frameshop.

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Monster’s in America: A Cryptozoological Map of the USA started with a healthy amount of research in to the world of cryptozoology. Loren Coleman’s body of work was hugely important to me, and a visit to his museum (the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, ME) last summer really kicked the research up a level.

Once the initial set of data was gathered, I set out to edit it all down to the point where I could allow sufficient room for the illustrations to live. I should add that by no means am I claiming that this is a definitive list of cryptids in the USA – rather a compilation of what I consider to be 32 important ones.

We were founded as a free nation by people who refused to do and think what others told them to. Stay free and weird people… it’s our birthright, and quite possibly, our obligation.